Chapter 22

At lunch, Medra confides to Florence and Naveen that she feels ignorant. They reveal the upcoming Bloodwing rites: the unpredictable House Leader selection and the dangerous Consort Games. Medra learns she and Regan must cooperate to survive and that she is not an official consort until passing the Games. The bond mark on her wrist reminds her of Viktor’s rite, and she briefly considers whether killing Blake could free her.

Prompted to ask Professor Rodriguez for guidance, Medra goes to his office early, slips inside, and searches his shelves. She finds The Dark Art of Eternal Bonds and a section titled “A Ritual to Undo the Binding of Souls,” but Rodriguez arrives and catches her. He orders the book replaced and questions her purpose.

Medra asks for help surviving the Consort Games. Rodriguez says teachers cannot divulge rite details and timing is uncertain, though traditionally post-Frostfire. He confirms precedents where consorts who would not cooperate usually died and advises Medra to try speaking with Regan. He commits to doubling her thrallguard sessions, especially over the Wintermark break, which Medra will spend at Bloodwing.

Afterward, Medra’s inner mother-voice explains that Medra could read Classical Sangrathan because her essence is “seeping” into Medra, unintentionally sharing skills. This confirms the text’s age and language. Medra resolves to obtain the book later, intending to use the ritual to break the soul-binding, planning to time it around future lessons.